The UK and China should work together to rebuild relations based on mutual respect and open communication, China's ambassador to London said on Tuesday.

"A key is to keep the door to communication open. Engage in creative dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In this way can we meet our differences, expand consensus and build up mutual trust," said Ambassador Zheng Zeguang.

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the People's Republic of China, Zheng talked about his country's independence and record of lifting more than 770 million people out of poverty.

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Zheng said that "attempts to contain or besiege China have never succeeded in the past and will always be an empty dream in the future."

The relationship between London and Beijing has suffered in recent years. However, their economic ties were highlighted when China became the UK's biggest single import market.

'Reject colonial mentality'

His comments come after the signing of a new security alliance between the U.S., the UK and Australia (called AUKUS) that will provide Canberra with the capability to deploy nuclear-powered submarines.

Zheng suggested world powers should reject "colonial mentality" and "other moves that lead to division or confrontation."

Despite recent London-Beijing tensions, Amanda Milling, the UK minister for Asia, was in attendance. She reiterated the UK's desire "to work with China in order to overcome the great challenges of our time – in particular, climate change, biodiversity loss, COVID-19 and the risk of future pandemics."

She added that London wanted to "grow our mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship" with Beijing.